Newcastle United continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 0-0 draw at Brighton. It's now back-to-back clean sheets for the Magpies, who comfortably beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 on the opening day at St James' Park.
However, this game couldn't have been any more different. Newcastle dominated against Forest, but they were on the backfoot for much of the game at the AMEX. Nick Pope, who didn't have a save to make on his St James' Park debut, had to make five stops to deny Brighton. Solly March and Adam Lallana both produced stunning saves from the England international, who helped Newcastle claim a point on the road.
Here's how the national media reported on the game, with plenty of praise for Pope and head coach Eddie Howe.
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'Pope was flipping good'
In the Daily Mail, Kieran Gill wrote: "Nick Pope was trending on Twitter this week, bizarrely after Newcastle supporters hijacked a Burger King poll about tomatoes and gherkins to say their goalkeeper was better than both.
"The puns pretty much write themselves after a performance like this. Pope was flipping good – my apologies – and made a series of whopper saves – again, apologies – to ensure Newcastle left Brighton with something to show for their efforts on a sweltering day.
"Two games, two clean sheets for the man who could prove a steal at £10million. Newcastle may be the world's richest club, but even the wealthy can appreciate a bargain."
'There is much to admire about Howe'
This game saw two highly-rated, English head coaches go head-to-head, and The Guardian's Sam Dalling says there is much to admire about both Howe and Graham Potter.
He wrote: "This game may not be one the grandchildren hear much about, but for those who prefer tactical manipulation over the old-fashioned blow-for-blow, it was oddly compelling.
"There is much to admire about Howe and Graham Potter. They are very different in some ways; the former hugs the touchline, bulging out of his skin-tight training wear, whereas the latter – who forces himself into a weekly 30-minute promenade jog – is a less intense presence. But they are a pair of great thinkers, expert planners, with a knack of getting full buy-in from players. Modern football managed the modern way."
'Pope proving his worth already'
A match report from Sky Sports said : "Pope, a £10m summer signing for Newcastle from Burnley, is already proving his worth as he recorded back-to-back clean sheets - only Ederson (56) and Alisson (43) have kept more than his 37 shutouts since the start of the 19/20 campaign.
"When it comes to shot stopping, there aren't many better in world football than Pope. Not only is he a giant of a man, he has the reactions to back that up - as shown by his wonderful save to deny Lallana. At £10m, he could prove the signing of the season when the dust settles later down the road."
'Howe will be delighted with his players' character and resolve'
BBC Sport's Matthew Howarth wasn't overly impressed by Newcastle's performance, although he did highlight their grit to stay in the game. He wrote: "Newcastle boss Eddie Howe described last weekend's victory over Nottingham Forest as the "blueprint" for his team as the Magpies look to build on their magnificent second half to last season.
"The 2-0 victory over the newly promoted side was as one-sided as it gets, but this game could hardly have been more different as the visitors struggled to create meaningful opportunities and needed two goal-line clearances to avoid a first defeat of the campaign.
"Considerable credit must also go to Nick Pope, who produced two impressive saves that will have done his England ambitions no harm whatsoever.
"While Howe will be delighted with his players' character and resolve, he is unlikely to be too pleased with the Magpies' passing.
"The visitors had opportunities to hurt their opponents on the counter-attack but, too often, their final ball was lacking."
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